2023 Map of Black Peak

About this map

Apache National Forest encompasses this high-altitude reach of New Mexico, dominated by the prominent summit of Black Peak. The landscape is a network of named drainages and basins, including Johnson Basin, Renfro Canyon, and Hardcastle Canyon, which cut through the elevated terrain. The water distribution pattern is highly specialized, consisting of numerous livestock tanks and natural springs such as White Bluff Spring, Dripping Spring, and Hardcastle Spring. These features suggest a landscape managed for range use, where seasonal water sources are vital to local activity. The presence of Mangitas Flat and Harcastle Gap provides topographical context to the movement through these canyons. This 2023 survey serves as a detailed record of water rights and geographic nomenclature in a sparsely settled but carefully named portion of Catron County.